Jones Cup vital in Smart Gilas’ Asian bid

MANILA — Facing Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in the Jones Cup next month will give Smart Gilas Pilipinas an idea of what to expect when they face the same teams in the Fiba Asia Championship.

National head coach Rajko Toroman said the early encounter will give him at least a month to work on how to beat them in the Asian championship in Wuhan, China, on Sept. 15 to 25.

The PH five is bracketed with the UAE along with host China and Bahrain in Group D of the Asian championship and based on the format, the Filipinos will likely meet Jordan in the second round.

The Nationals will begin their Aug. 6 to 14 campaign in the Jones Cup against the Jordanians on Aug. 6 and UAE the following day.

“Jordan has always been a tough game for us. Remember, that team played in the (Fiba) world championship last year,” said Toroman.

The champion in the Asian championship earns an automatic seat to the 2012 London Olympics while the losing finalist and third placer can still make to the Olympics through another qualifier.

PBA stars Asi Taulava of Meralco and Dondon Hontiveros of Air21 will join the team but Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Ranidel De Ocampo will stay behind in a bid to give Talk ‘N Text the PBA Governors’ Cup championship and complete the league’s fifth grand slam.